How far have we come with @PeteButtigieg’s confirmation?
In 1999, James Hormel was nominated as Ambassador to Luxembourg, becoming the first openly LGBTQ nominee in American history.
His nomination was held up for two years by Republicans who said being gay was disqualifying.
In 1999, James Hormel was nominated as Ambassador to Luxembourg, becoming the first openly LGBTQ nominee in American history.
His nomination was held up for two years by Republicans who said being gay was disqualifying.
One of the politicians who held Hormel’s nomination, Sen. Bob Smith of New Hampshire, told the press: "This is not a tolerance issue. This is a matter of advocacy of the gay lifestyle.”
Eventually, Bill Clinton was forced to make a recess appointment to allow Hormel to serve.
Eventually, Bill Clinton was forced to make a recess appointment to allow Hormel to serve.
Pete Buttigieg cited Hormel’s story leading up to his confirmation hearing, recalling how a qualified public servant was attacked and undermined simply because of who he loved.
We’ve come a long way.
We’ve come a long way.
We celebrate this landmark moment in LGBTQ visibility, while remembering that the same bigotry James Hormel encountered is still holding back our community — especially Black and Brown trans women. We’ve taken one big step forward, and there are more to come.
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